How to use Reference Images & Image Weights --iw MidJourney AI command [AI Art Tutorial]

cyankatana
22 Sept 202209:17

TLDRThis tutorial showcases how to utilize reference images with MidJourney AI to inspire artwork generation. It demonstrates the process of incorporating external images via a URL into text prompts using the 'iw' command to adjust the influence of the reference. The video illustrates the impact of varying image weights on the final output, highlighting that higher weights can lead to the AI prioritizing the reference over the text prompt. The tutorial provides practical examples, including creating clouds and a character, to guide users in achieving desired results with reference images.

Takeaways

  • 🖼️ Image references can be used with Midjourney AI to inspire the visual style of generated images.
  • 🔗 The 'iw' command in Midjourney AI allows you to control the degree of influence from reference images.
  • 📎 To add a reference image, include its URL in the text prompt alongside the descriptive text.
  • 🌐 Easily obtain the URL of an image by sending it to a Discord channel and copying the link.
  • 🎨 Midjourney AI does not copy images directly but uses them for inspiration to create a similar concept.
  • 📊 Varying the 'iw' value (image weight) changes how much the reference image impacts the final result.
  • 🟣 Higher image weights make the reference image's color scheme and style more prominent in the output.
  • 🔄 Using multiple reference images with the same URL can intensify the influence on the final image.
  • 🚫 Be cautious with high image weights as they may cause Midjourney AI to disregard the text prompt and focus solely on the reference image.
  • 🔍 Experimenting with different image weights helps find the optimal balance between text and image influence.
  • 👩‍🎨 Midjourney AI can pick up on details like hair color and clothing from reference images, even with simple text prompts.

Q & A

  • What is the purpose of using reference images with Midjourney AI?

    -The purpose of using reference images with Midjourney AI is to provide visual inspiration for the AI to create artwork that aligns with the desired theme or style of the reference image.

  • How can you include an external image in your Midjourney AI text prompt?

    -You can include an external image in your Midjourney AI text prompt by including the URL of the image. This can be done by sending the image to a Discord channel, copying the link, and pasting it into the text prompt.

  • What does the 'iw' command in Midjourney AI do?

    -The 'iw' command in Midjourney AI allows you to control the degree to which the AI uses the reference image for inspiration in the final artwork. It communicates to the AI the importance of the image in relation to the text prompt.

  • How does Midjourney AI use the reference images?

    -Midjourney AI does not copy the reference images one-to-one but uses them to create a similar idea or theme, incorporating elements such as color schemes or composition.

  • What happens when you increase the image weight value in Midjourney AI?

    -When you increase the image weight value, the influence of the reference image becomes more prominent in the final artwork, making the generated image more closely resemble the reference image's color scheme or style.

  • What is the recommended range for the image weight value when using reference images in Midjourney AI?

    -The recommended range for the image weight value is between 0 and 5. Using a weight higher than this range may cause Midjourney AI to ignore the text prompt and focus too much on the reference image, leading to less control over the final result.

  • Can you include more than one reference image in a Midjourney AI text prompt?

    -Yes, you can include multiple reference images in a Midjourney AI text prompt. Including the same image multiple times or different images can provide more prominent results, but it's important to use different URLs for each reference image.

  • How does the number of reference images included in the text prompt affect the final artwork?

    -Including multiple reference images, even if they are the same, can make the AI place more emphasis on the visual aspects of those images, potentially leading to a stronger influence on the final artwork.

  • What is the significance of using a simple text prompt in the examples provided in the script?

    -Using a simple text prompt in the examples is to demonstrate that Midjourney AI can pick up on details and elements from the reference images, even when the text prompt does not provide extensive detail.

  • How does the AI handle the text prompt and reference image when the image weight is set to 10,000 in Midjourney AI?

    -When the image weight is set to 10,000, Midjourney AI tends to ignore the text prompt and focuses primarily on the reference image, often improvising and creating an artwork that is less related to the original text prompt and more on recreating aspects of the reference image.

Outlines

00:00

🖼️ Utilizing Image References in Mid Journey

This segment of the video tutorial demonstrates how to incorporate external image references into the Mid Journey image generation process. The video explains the use of the 'iw' command to control the degree of inspiration drawn from the reference images. It clarifies that Mid Journey does not replicate images directly but uses them to create a similar concept. The tutorial moves on to a practical demonstration within Discord, where the presenter shows how to add an image reference by including its URL in the text prompt. The process involves sending an image to a Discord channel, copying its link, and then using it in the 'imagine' command. The video also explores how varying the image weight (iw) parameter affects the outcome, with examples showing the influence of the reference image's color scheme on the generated images. It suggests that using an image weight between 0 and 5 is most effective for maintaining control over the final result.

05:00

🎨 Enhancing Character Creation with Multiple Image References

The second part of the video script focuses on enhancing character creation using multiple image references in Mid Journey. It illustrates how to include the same image multiple times in a text prompt by sending the image three separate times to Discord and copying each link individually. The video then compares the results of a control image with no reference and three other images with varying image weights. The presenter intentionally uses a simple text prompt to show how Mid Journey can pick up details from the reference images, such as hair color and clothing. The results indicate that a lower image weight of 1 provides the closest match to the reference image, while a weight of 10,000 causes Mid Journey to improvise and deviate from the reference. The video concludes with an upscaled version of the character that closely resembles the reference image, demonstrating the potential of Mid Journey when using reference images effectively.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Reference Images

Reference images are external images used as visual inspiration for generating AI art. In the context of the video, they are incorporated into the AI's prompts to guide the artistic outcome towards a desired direction. For example, the script mentions using a photo to inspire the creation of a character, demonstrating how reference images can significantly influence the final artwork generated by MidJourney AI.

💡MidJourney AI

MidJourney AI is the subject of the tutorial, which is an AI system capable of creating art based on text prompts and reference images. The video explains how to use this technology to generate images that are inspired by, but not direct copies of, the reference images provided. It is central to the video's theme of demonstrating the capabilities and usage of AI in art creation.

💡Image Weights

Image weights, denoted by the 'iw' command in the script, are numerical values that indicate the degree of influence a reference image should have on the AI's generated output. A higher weight means the AI will prioritize the reference image more heavily, which is illustrated in the video through examples showing varying degrees of color and composition adoption from the reference based on the weight assigned.

💡Discord

Discord is mentioned as the platform where the user interacts with the AI by sending commands and images. It serves as the medium for demonstrating the process of adding image references and text prompts to generate AI art. The script describes the steps of sending an image to a Discord channel, copying its link, and using that link in the AI command.

💡Text Prompt

A text prompt is a textual description that, along with a reference image, guides the AI in creating art. In the video, text prompts are combined with image URLs to direct the AI's artistic generation process. The script shows how varying the text prompt in conjunction with the image weight can lead to different artistic outcomes.

💡Upscaling

Upscaling in the context of the video refers to the process of enhancing the resolution or quality of an AI-generated image for a clearer or more detailed view. The script mentions upscaling an image to better illustrate the influence of the reference image on the AI's output, particularly in terms of color and composition.

💡Character Creation

Character creation is one of the applications of the AI demonstrated in the video. The script uses the process of creating a character that resembles a reference image to show how the AI can interpret and generate human-like features based on both the text prompt and the reference image.

💡Control Image

A control image is a baseline generated by the AI without any reference images to compare against the results when reference images are used. In the script, a control image of clouds is created to demonstrate the difference in outcome when the AI is provided with a reference image versus when it relies solely on the text prompt.

💡Color Scheme

The color scheme refers to the selection of colors used in the AI-generated images. The video script discusses how the inclusion of a reference image with a specific color scheme can influence the colors present in the AI's output, as seen when the AI adopts the purple and orange hues from the reference image.

💡Aesthetic

Aesthetic in this context refers to the visual appearance or style of the AI-generated character or image. The script describes how adjusting the image weight can affect the aesthetic of the final result, making it more or less similar to the reference image in terms of visual style and color.

💡Improvisation

Improvisation by the AI is demonstrated when it deviates from the text prompt and reference image to create an original piece. The script mentions this when a high image weight leads the AI to ignore the text prompt about clouds and instead focus on recreating elements from the reference image, such as plants, which were not part of the original prompt.

Highlights

Learn how to use image references with MidJourney AI to inspire your AI art.

The 'iw' command controls the degree of inspiration from your reference images.

MidJourney AI does not copy images directly but uses them for visual inspiration.

Add image references by including a URL of the image in your text prompt.

Images can be sent to Discord and their URL copied for use in prompts.

The 'iw' command with different values shows varying degrees of influence from the reference image.

Higher image weight values make the reference image more prominent in the result.

Using image weights between 0 and 5 is recommended for effective results.

Including multiple reference images can enhance the influence on the final image.

Each reference image should have a unique URL, even if they are the same image.

MidJourney AI can pick up on details like hair color and clothing from reference images.

Image weight 0.5 starts to introduce elements from the reference image.

At image weight 1, the character's features closely match the reference image.

Image weight 10,000 causes MidJourney AI to improvise rather than follow the reference.

Experimenting with different image weights and text prompts can yield better results.

The video provides a quick demonstration of using reference images with MidJourney AI.

The final upscaled character closely resembles the reference image, showcasing the potential of MidJourney AI.